BUTLER, Pa. (May 9) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team trailed by only one run entering the ninth inning on Monday morning before being eliminated from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament with a 6-1 loss to Seton Hill at Kelly Automotive Park.
With the loss, the Vulcans finish the season with a 26-22 overall record. Cal U has registered at least 25 wins in each of the last 17 years, posting an overall winning percentage over .500 each season. Meanwhile, the Griffins improve to 37-15 this spring and advance to face the loser of East Stroudsburg-Millersville in another elimination game tomorrow, Tuesday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m.
Senior
GJ Senchak (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) tossed a career-high 8.1 innings (137 pitches) in the final start of his collegiate career, allowing four runs (all earned) on 11 hits while also recording five strikeouts. He held the Griffins to only two runs before being lifted in the top of the ninth with runners on first and second. Senchak finished his career as the school's all-time leader, and ranks No. 11 in PSAC history, with 272.2 Innings pitched (previous record was 227.1), which ranks ninth among active pitchers in NCAA Division II.
Seton Hill stranded a runner at first in each of the opening three innings before having the first two batters reach on singles in the fourth. Senchak then induced a fielder's choice with junior shortstop
Danny McGrath (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) getting the lead runner out at third before a pop-up and strikeout ended the threat. In the bottom of the fourth, the Vulcans featured their first base runner of the game on a hit by pitch before back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
In the fifth, shortstop Garret Vrbanic led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a single by designated hitter Chris Miller. Vrbanic and Miller then executed a double steal of second and home with Vrbanic breaking for home and scoring before a throw. Seton Hill manufactured a run in the sixth with a two-out double to stretch the lead to 2-0.
The Vulcans answered in the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff homer by freshman right fielder
Eric Fairman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), his second of the year, and the team's first hit of the game. Senior left fielder
Jared Grove (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) then reached on a walk before being forced out at second on a fielder's choice. Senior center fielder
Mick Fennell (Butler, Pa./Butler) reached on the play and advanced to third on a wild pitch and ground-out before another ground-out ended the inning.
Senchak retired the Griffins in order in the top of the sixth and Cal U led off the bottom of the inning with a single by junior catcher
Joe Yourgal (Millersville, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) before a double play later ended the inning.
In the ninth, Senchak struck out the first batter of the inning before yileding back-to-back singles. Cal U then made a pitching change that resulted in an RBI single before another pitching change and walk loaded the bases. Sophomore
Levi Krause (East Berlin, Pa./Spring Grove) induced an infield fly to third before right fielder Taylor Schmidt delivered a bases-clearing, three-run double to seal the win.
Seton Hill starter Mike Bittel (8-2) earned the complete-game victory, allowing one run (earned) while scattering two hits and two walks over 9.0 innings (140 pitches).
The PSAC West Athlete of the Year, Fennell was held hitless in four plate appearances and finished his career tied for second all-time in school history with 223 hits. He also finishes tied for the program lead with 175 runs scored in a career.
